I
had a pair at hand. By breaking off the buttons, and sharpening the
points, I would secure two rude but excellent rapiers, with which
Mortimer and myself could settle our little differences, after the
fashion of gentlemen in former ages! As to the place of
combat,--anywhere--in the house, or a part of the grounds around the
mansion--it was unimportant I said, so that one of us was killed. But a
moment's reflection induced me to change my views. Under any
circumstances _I_ was going to die--that was true. My character,
however, must be thought of. It would not do to have a stain rest on
the last of the house of Mohun! Were I to kill Mortimer in the house,
or grounds, it would be said that I had murdered him, with the aid of
my servants--that I had drawn him thither to strike him--had acted the
traitor and the coward. 'No,' I said, 'even in death I must guard the
family honor. This man must fall elsewhere--in some spot far distant
from this house--fall without witnesses--in silence--in fair fight with
me, no one even seeing us.'
"I had formed this resolution in five minutes after the departure of
madam from the supper-room. I went straight to the library; calmly
stated my resolution to Nighthawk; and in spite of his most obstinate
remonstrances, and repeated refusals, broke down his opposition by
sheer force of will.
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